Canon EOS 550D vs Nikon D3500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS 550D and Nikon D3500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Canon EOS 550D is manufacturered by Canon but Nikon D3500 is from Nikon. Both Canon and Nikon are well known brands though.

Canon EOS 550D were released 2010 and Nikon D3500 was released 2018. That is a 8 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS 550D 2010
Nikon D3500 2018

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS 550D has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor while Nikon D3500 has a "Nikon DX"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS 550D 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6
Nikon D3500 75 mm
Nikon DX sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Canon EOS 550D has a 18,7 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon D3500 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS 550D 18,7 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456
Nikon D3500 24 MP
24000000 pixels
6000 x 4000

Nikon D3500 has a 34 % larger resolution than Canon EOS 550D. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D3500 has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS 550D. Nikon D3500 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 25600 while Canon EOS 550D has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS 550D 100-12800
Nikon D3500 100-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

There is a big difference between these two cameras. Canon EOS 550D has a built-in autofocus motor but Nikon D3500 does not. If you want to be able to use autofocus on Nikon D3500 there is a need for having an autofocus motor inside the lens. We really encourage you to look closely at our lens compatibility charts at the links below.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS 550D
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D3500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS 550D can shoot up to 3,7 pictures per seconds and Nikon D3500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS 550D 3,7
Nikon D3500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS 550D and Nikon D3500 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS 550D weighs 510 gr (equal to 1.12 lb) which is 40% heavier than Nikon D3500 and its 365 gr (or 0.8 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS 550D 510 gr
1.12 lb
Nikon D3500 365 gr
0.8 lb

Canon EOS 550D vs Nikon D3500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS 550D and Nikon D3500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Name Canon EOS 550D Nikon D3500
Manufacturer Canon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Release Year 2010 2018
Release Date 2010-02-08 2018-08-30
MSRP 899 USD 499 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm) APS-C (approx 23.7 x 15.5 mm)
Also known as "DX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5184 x 3456 pixels 6000 x 4000 pixels
Megapixels 18,7 MP 24 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 4 EXPEED 4
Image
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
ISO Range 100 - 12800 100 - 25600
White Balance Presets 6 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Autofocus Motor Yes No
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 9 11
Lens Mount Canon EF
Canon EF-S

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
DX / APS-C (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Articulated LCD Fixed Fixed
Screen size 3” 3”
Screen dots 1040000 921000
Touch screen No No
Screen type TFT color liquid-crystal LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.87× (0.54× 35mm equiv.) 0.85× (0.57× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Frames per second 3,7 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 13 meters 7 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers No Yes
Storage
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Yes
Built-in, SnapBridge (Bluetooth only)
Remote Control Yes (E3 connector, InfraRed) Yes (via Smartphone)
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS 550D
Nikon D3500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details Lithium-Ion LP-E8 rechargeable battery & charger
EN-EL14a lithium-ion battery and charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 1550 shots
Width 129 mm 124 mm
Height 98 mm 97 mm
Depth 62 mm 70 mm
Weight 510 gram 365 gram